About Top Rankin Education

Lara Rankin College Admissions Consultant, Academic Coach & Learning Needs Specialist

Lara Rankin has taught English for twenty years in different countries around the world. After getting her BA in Sociology and Photography at the University of California, San Diego, she worked with students with special needs for several years, striving to understand different learning styles and employing various strategies to help students leverage their strengths and embrace personalized approaches to learning.

She has taught in Honduras and Hungary, as well as many kinds of schools around the US. After teaching English, Science, Art, and Music to 2nd, 6th, 10th and 11th grade students in the Caribbean, she came back to the US, and got her teaching credential at California State Monterey Bay. Following this, she taught at a small high school in Santa Cruz, CA for twelve years, where she instructed 9-12th grade English, Art, Digital Photography, and History as well as Advanced Placement classes for 5 years. In 2012, she took a hiatus to complete a year as a Fulbright exchange teacher in Budapest, where she taught ESL and was an ambassador to the US. She was nominated for Teacher of the Year in 2015, and received a commendation for her work in 2018.

She is currently a lead teacher at Lydian Academy in Menlo Park, and has been the head of the Humanities Department for the past three years. Beyond her regular teaching responsibilities, Lara extends her expertise to tutoring students from 1st grade to college level in various Humanities subjects, SAT preparation, AP US History (APUSH), and AP English courses. She enthusiastically guides students through the daunting task of finding the right college fit, and helping them word-wizard the ideal essays. Her guidance has proven instrumental in helping students gain acceptance into esteemed institutions like Stanford, Northwestern, and UCLA. No matter what the educational needs, Lara aims to ensure that each student is equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in their academic pursuits.

Steps to Success

Philosophy

Every student possesses unique brilliance and abundant talents that can positively impact the world. The college journey serves as a transformative process, allowing students to refine their expertise and nurture their skills. By finding the right college fit, you open doors to opportunities that will enable you to flourish and reach your full potential.

Key to Success

Through a deep understanding of each individual student, including their learning styles and abilities, a roadmap is created to manifest their greatest academic growth. By learning executive functioning skills, students are set up for independent inquiry. Scaffolding knowledge provides support for students to synthesize information effectively and make meaningful connections, honing their unique expertise. As confidence builds, individuals find their creative voice.

Teaching Model

1. Assessment: I meet you wherever you are by getting an understanding of your skills, strengths, needs, and goals.

Analysis: Together, we look at your patterns of success and the skills you have gained in overcoming obstacles, using your strengths to overcome weaknesses.

2. Strategy: We create a calendar of deadlines and tasks, collaborating on a document that gathers research and organizes the project from start to finish.

3. Support: I work with your schedule, with the ease of online appointments, for as few or as many sessions are needed to get you to your goal.

Vision

For all students to discover their strengths, refine their academic skills, and empower their creativity as they navigate their distinctive paths.

Discover Your Potential with Top Rankin Education

I believe that knowing your own learning style is the key to unlocking your full potential and achieving your goals. My methods are designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your academics, preparation, and application to colleges. With two decades of experience in the education profession and a track record of five years of successful support in the college application process, I meet you where you are, providing guidance to ensure a smooth journey through the academic voyage.

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